Christmas Party Makeovers: 5 of Dublin's Best Beauty Counters

With silly season well and truly started I wouldn't be surprised should you tell me that you've already been to your office Christmas shindig - hell I was at an eBay festive knees up in January!

Chances are though yours is upcoming and besides exfoliating your bum daily for crystal clear photocopies and/or practising your gracious ducking and weaving to avoid the scaldy mistletoe, there's a couple of places that can really help with your preparation. Today we're talking make up and the professional application thereof. 

I've picked out 5 of the best beauty counters I've used in the past, though I can't guarantee they can recreate the festive facial explosion above...

1. Benefit: 40 mins: 

Free with the purchase of two products

The masters of the Benebrow, Benefit are a stellar choice when it comes to makeup application, not least because the gals listen to every word you say before they ever pick up a buffing brush. Instead of a set fee for a makeover the policy here is to buy two products - that's a full face for you and potentially two Christmas gifts - Win/Win/Win! 

While every Benefit counter will take great of you, I'd highly recommend you pop into the newly opened Boutique in South William St to make an occasion of it (the fact that there's a new cheesecake shop on the same street is a happy coincidence). 

2. MAC: 40 mins: 

€40 Redeemable

When it comes to party looks, MAC have it down. You can really vamp it up in the hands of the MAC girls and I'd heartily recommend a trip to your local counter or standalone store to be transformed before your very own eyes. 

3. Smashbox: 60 mins: 

Free with the purchase of two products

With the Wonder Vision sets flying off the shelves you'd be crazy not to consider allowing the Smashbox ladies to beautify you before heading home with two products in your mála. 

While I've yet to meet a Smashbox SA I didn't love, the team in Arnott's are second to none. My makeover with the lovely Emma (above) is the first time I've ever 'wowed' myself after the big reveal as she'd done such an incredible job, I was loathe to wash my face that night. 

4. Inglot: 40 mins: 

€30 Redeemable (Lashes €10/€12/€14)

The most affordable of the bunch, Inglot's makeover for just €25 is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. The pigmentation of their shadows are incredible and offer some of the best longevity on the market today - highly important when off for a night on the tiles. 

With an entire store of shades to choose from the girls will give you exactly the look you'd like or you could, as I often have, give them free reign to create a masterpiece - once you love it they can make up a palette of the shadows used so you can recreate the look at home for your next bajillion nights out. 

5. Chanel: 40 mins: 

€40 Redeemable

If you're anything like me, the only time your entire visage will be covered in Chanel is when I've had a make over. If you're looking for something a little bit special, maybe a trip for you and an office pal before your night out then Chanel is the way to go. 

It's an ideal opportunity to pick out something a little luxurious for a special lady in your life (including yourself) using the €40 redeemable tag. With the new Christmas make up collection Nuit Infinie de CHANEL, you're sure to feel a million dollars on your way out for the night, the chance to say 'It's Chanel Dahhhlink' is just a bonus. 

Leaving it to the experts means no more getting yourself in a sweat wrangling with the dreaded flicked eyeliner and taking a flannel to your face 30 minutes before your party (I've been there). 

As the season hots up be sure to book at least a week in advance with your counter of choice then sit back and enjoy. 

November Faves ft New Look, Smashbox, Rimmel, Lush, L’Oréal, Bourjois & Max Factor

Now that we're slightly over the trauma of November being possibly the quickest month in the history of months ever, it's time for me to share my stand outs of the past four weeks. 

Having spent the vast majority of the month holed up at home and wearing little or no slap, this month's picks are  more about what makes me feel better quickly. Let me know if you agree with any of 'em!

1. L’Oréal Hair Chalk: €18.61 here. 

Having been too chicken and not at all 'too old' as Adam says to dip dye my hair this past year these L’Oréal hair chalks got an audible 'YUSS' when I opened the package a fortnight ago. 

Available in 8 colours these vibrant tress enhancers are more a liquid polish that dries in place than a chalk and can change your look in minutes and will wash out in two shampoos. I'll have a full post up with pics v soon but as of now, in my opinion, you NEED to check these out!

2. MAX Factor Wild Shadow Pencils: €8.99 here. 

When it comes to make up simplicity Max Factor have it down. These new shadow pencils are not only available in a cracking line up of 8 metallic smudgeable shades but once they've dried they're there to stay. 

I brought 4 of these beauties to Berlin with me to save on liquid allowance and palette schlepping and I was never once stuck for quick, swipeable onnable shadow simplicity (it's a thing). Caramel Rage is by far my favourite but do yourself a favour and swatch these pencils in store. You'll be impressed!

3. Bourjois CC Cream: €13.99 (launching Jan '14) 

Now normally I don't include a favourite that has yet to launch but Bourjois have once again knocked it out of the beauty park with their 123 CC Cream. 

Boasting 3 colour correcting pigments to combat bags, pigmentation and any number of other unwelcome visage shades this CC cream glides on effortlessly and really does last all day long. While I topped it with a little powder on my forehead, this really does help my pigmentation and feels like I'm wearing nothing at all (insert vision of Sexy Flanders here)

4. L'Oreal Paris False Lash Flutter Mascara Midnight Purple: €16.79 here

There's not many mascaras that WOW me straight from the tube and the unassuming butterfly wing shaped brush on this False Lash Flutter offering didn't promise to be anything more than a lash separating tool - how wrong I was. 

Batting it's way straight to the top my go to mascaras, this Midnight Purple lifts, separates and coats every single lash to perfection - think They're Real crossed with YSL's Babydoll and you're almost there. At less than €17, I would've paid twice that had I known what this would do for my súiles and I.   

5. SmashBox Wonder Vision Mega Palette: €60 here

I waxed lyrical about this mega palette with full pictures and swatches here  but honestly, until you feel the velvety soft shadows in this beauty bounty there's no way you can truly appreciate it. 

Having not been off my eyes since I bought it (bar Berlin)(when I missed it greatly) this palette is pretty much everything you need when it comes to eye shadow - no that doesn't mean I'll relinquish my stash nor that I'll stop buying but hand on heart, I haven't reached for any other shade since this joined my kit. 

6. Rimmel Precious Stones in Diamond Dust: €5.49 here: 

This post showed exactly how perfect this sparklefest polish is for silly season and it's another 'look at it with your actual eyeballs' product. 

Densely packed holo glitters in every shape and suspended in a thick charcoal jelly means there's not a finger tip in Ireland that wouldn't be flattered by this polish. 

7. Lush Sikkim Girls Body Cream: £24.95 here. 

While seeming a little pricey to begin with this unctuous body lotion from Lush is fast becoming one of my favourites of the entire natural brand. Chock full of Darjeeling Tea, Vanilla Pod and Jasmine Flower Infusion, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Cupuacu Butter, Organic Hemp Oil, Glycerine, Honey, Peach Kernel Oil, Sikkim Girls is an out and out thigh rubber when it comes to supple soft and delicately scented skin. 

This little vid shows how this pot of wonder is made but I urge you to ask the Lush ladies (or gents) for a tester of this body lotion and allow it to convert you entirely in just one use. 

8. Drink Me Chai Latte in Peppermint: €5 here. 

A new lover of spicy Chai tea and sweetened Chai lattes, I was thrilled to see this ready made tub on the market stalls in Berlin. The eldest whipped out his wallet and bought both the Sis and I a tub each, had I known he'd be drinking it religiously too I'd have bought more!

This sweet, peppermint drink puts me in mind of a pumpkin spice latte and is not only 99% caffeine free and a known killer of chocolate cravings but it's also a cinch to make. Loving it longtime!

9. New Look Wide Fit Knee High Boots: €49.99 here

These leather look boots have not only saved my skin but they've saved my legs and feet this past month too. With a little block heel that makes them some of the most comfortable boots I've owned, the elasticated backing makes them a doddle to pull on and off and to wear all day long without issue. 

Easily dressed down or up, these New Look boots came to my aid brilliantly as we walked the length and breadth of Berlin last week. Not one blister, cut or chilly knee to be seen. I'll be buying 'em in black too - you mark my words. 


And that's them, my November Faves. 

Tell me, have you had any stand outs, beauty or otherwise this past month? 

Monday's Moments - 02-12-13

It's December, people, DECEMBER, while I'm miffed that I never did pick up an advent calendar (did you?), I'm still chuffed that now we can officially chat about the big C without people losing their collective shizz - can you feel the festive frisson yet? 

Aside from all that I also have 5 Moments that are chasing away my Monday Blues today and here they be: 

1. It's U! (and me)

This past week saw the Sister appearing in U magazine having the chats about our trip to Brussels and Bruges for the Christmas markets last year. 

Yes, I may look like my mother, shopped out and beered up in the accompanying pic but it's a great little piece and shows just how you can head off to the markets, enjoy them in style and stay on a shoestring. Well worth a goo, congrats Sis. 

2. Reduced Mobility, Heightened Embarrassment!  

Speaking of Christmas markets, the majority of last week was taken up by this years trip to the festive markets in Berlin. Having booked 6 months ago, I was fully convinced that I'd have to miss out this year due to my bandy back but with an upped prescription, a chat with my GP, a case full of heat pads and a sit down every ten minutes we made it. 

My biggest hurdle would be getting to the airport gate, or so I thought - turns out Corrina called ahead and organised the DAA to give me a lift in the buggy!! While killed with embarrassment, I was very grateful for the help. That and I now know how it feels to be in the Popemobile - I'm pretty sure that makes me holier, right? RIGHT?!

3. Who Knew?

This was the first year that the lads joined us for the Christmas trip and I was stunned that they agreed to join us so easily - that was until I realised that the legal drinking age in German is 16!!

Did you know this? I certainly didn't - turns out it's entirely legal to drink wine and beer once the teenagers are with their parents and I can see the sense that makes as I allowed them one and kept a beady eye on them. They both insist that the lax laws were nowt to do with them joining us - I'm trying to believe them...

4. Fancy Meeting You Here!

While visiting the Holocaust memorial in central Berlin we passed by a cycling tour with the guide telling his pack that they were about to set off across Berlin and see his favourite German bar, we were just grumbling about how it would have rocked had I been mobile enough to join in when a pretty cycling tourist approached us. 

'Hello' she said - 'ehm, Hiiii' I said warily - 'OMG HELLLLLOOOO!!' - it was only our cousin Laura having spied us while listening to her guide in the cycling group!! What are the chances of that? I mean seriously? Hugging her quickly and raging that we didn't have the wherewithal to ask for a backer to the bar, she left in a pedalling flurry with her chap to catch up with the tourist group. The odds of us literally crossing paths are pretty incredible. MAD, TED!!

5. The Final Countdown

The last Moment has been a little while coming and looks like it might be another little while in the making but this weekend I managed to sneak a peek at my new custom site header. 

I can't tell you how excited I am to have Stasia B on board working on the new design so nope, I wasn't codding, there's changes afoot on CherrySue and I can't wait to share!

Tell me, what's shifting your Monday Blues this week eh? How about others? Have you made someone else's life a little brighter this week? I'd love to hear!

Day Of The Doctor - A Teenage Whovian's Review

Who's in it? 

Matt Smith, David Tennant, John Hurt and Billie Piper


What's it about?

The War Doctor (John Hurt) steals 'The Moment', or (as Whovians will know it as) Bad Wolf. When contemplating using The Moment to destroy Gallifrey, along with all the Time Lords and Daleks, the Bad Wolf opens a time rift to the two most recent Doctors (David Tennent and Matt Smith) to see the effect it will have on his conscience. 

Any Good?

The story was great, and while it does take a second to understand its no Looper, but the smartest science moment for me ended in being pawned off as a cheap joke and it was a huge disappointment to see how such a good opportunity wasted.

Having three Doctors together was not just a gimmick, the actors played off each other well but some of the lines felt like they forgot they were all the same character. Some moments they had perfect harmony in even body moments, but that was mainly between Tennant and Smith's Doctors.

Classic Doctor (and fellow Eccleston)fans will be happy to see all of the incarnations do make a couple of appearances with a certain classic one making a huge cameo as himself. Even Capaldi's 13th Doctor makes a cameo, even if it's just his eyes at his TARDIS control panel. 

Great acting, great jokes, and a great story make a fantastic Doctor Who and even standalone movie with only one or two down points. I recommend watching it even if you're not a Whovian as it might convert you and if it won't it's thoroughly entertaining on it's own.

Rating:

Things that Rustle My Jimmies

Note to self: Do not compile Jimmies post without first taking painkillers for bandy back... Addendum to note to self: Publish 'em regardless. 

Here's 5 things that have Rustled my Jimmies this week - there could have been more... many more:

1. People that write about themselves 

in the third person

Source

2. When PR packages disappear without a trace...

Source

3. When the same person enters a competition under 147 different aliases 

Source

4. When the first comment on a thread is 'FIRST'

Source

5. People that Instagram pictures from Pinterest pretending that they're their own!

Source

As enraged as I was 10 minutes ago, now I'm chuckling again at these Gifs - tell me, what's been rustling your Jimmies this week, it really does help to share!